Mechanical arrow-projecting toy



Oct. 17, 1950 H, A, KlEsELHORsT 2,526,369

MECHANICAL ARROW-PROJECTING TOY Filed April 26, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 14 Tra ras/E V5.

Oct. 17, 1950 H. A. KlEsELHoRsT MECHANICAL ARROW-PROJECTING TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1947 Hr To PNE Ys.

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Oct. 17, 1950 H. A. KlEsELHoRsT MEmANIcAL ARROW-PROJECTING 'roY 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 26, 1947 Oct. 17, 1950 H. A. KIESELHORST 2,526,369

MECHANICAL mow-PRoJEcTING 'roy Find :April 2e. 1947 4 sheets-sheet 4 HTTOPA/E/.

Patented Oct. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The present invention relates generally to amusement devices, and more particularly to a mechanical amusement device of the target type in which a controlled projectile is mechanically ejected towards a target or target area.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanical amusement device in Which a remotely controlled projectile is mechanically ejected towards a target or target area.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanical amusement device which incorporates a maneuverable figure and a remotely controlled projectile holder which is maneuverable in planes both parallel to and vertical to the considered ground surface, providing, in effect, universal movement over a predetermined area of movement.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanical amusement device which is adapted to forcibly eject an arrow, simulated bullet, or the like, towards a target.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanical amusement device which incorporates a maneuverable figure. p

Another object is to provide va novel mechanical amusement device which incorporates both a -maneuverable projectile holder from which a projectile is adapted to be ejected and at least one movable target.

Another object -is to provide a novel mechan-` ical vamusement device which incorporates one or more maneuverable projectile holders including release means for each where more than one is employed, which function for simultaneous or successive release of the projectiles as desired.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanical amusement device Which incorporates a bow and arrow of miniature or regulation size, as the desire may be, which is adapted to release the arrow towards a target upon.y the actuation of a provided release device.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanical amusement device which realistically simulates bow and arrow action, and which is accurate enough in the release of an arrow from the body to constitute a device of skill.

Other objects are to provide a novel mechanical amusement device which is sturdy in construction, which is inexpensive tol fabricate, which is adapted to serve its intended usage with no more than minimum maintenance for an extended period of time, and which finds Wide adaptation as a device of skill for both children and adults.

The foregoing and other objects and ad- 3 Claims. (Cl. 124-23) Vthe projectile holder and related parts;

2 Y vantages are apparent from the following de-A scription taken with the accompanying drawing,

in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a mechanical amusement device formed in accordanceA with the teachings of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the bowstring and arrow engaged in the projectile holder and the several parts of the device in the maximum elevated position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but with the several elements of the device in the maximum depressed position;

Fig. 4 is a'horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, positions of movement of the device being indicated in broken-line;

\ Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1 illustrating trigger link age details; y Y

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional viewsubstantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of z of Fig. 8 is anenlarged side elevational view the projectile holder viewed at to Fig. 7; u

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7 showing the projectile holder in top plan and with an arrow shaft being inserted; Y

Fig. 10 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view on the line I0-I0 of Fig. 7 showing an arrow shaft being inserted;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view also taken on the line IU-IU of Fig. '7 showing the arrow fully inserted and the bowrstring engaged by the lock leaf; i

Fig. 12 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view also taken on the line Ill-I0 Vof Fig. '7 showing the lock leaf in bowstring release position and the arrow leaving the holder under the spring force of the bow member as imparted by the bowstring; Y

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional View on the line MTM of Fig. '7;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged side elevational View, partly in section, of the body memberl of the projectile holder showing the side against which the lock leaf rests;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged side elevational View,

partly in section, of the body of the projectile holder showing the side against which the projectile retainer plate rests;

Fig. 17 is an isometric view of the lock leaf;

Fig. 18 is a side elevational view of an arrow adapted to be used with the present device;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the feathered end of the arrow shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic view of the present device mounted on a movable support and disposed in relation to a vertical target surface; and

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic view showing the present device combined with a target which moves as the projectile is being released.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 25 indicates generally a mechanical amusement device incorporating the concepts of the present invention. To a stationary support 26, which may be a box 28, as shown in Fig. 20, a platform 29, as shown in Fig. 21, or any other type of support, is pivotally secured a member 39 by means of a rivet 3|, or the like, extending through vertically spaced extensions 32 of the member and through the support 26 (Figs. 1 and 4). The member 36 also includes laterally spaced extensions 33 between and to which is secured, as by welding 34, a vertically ldisposed post 35. To the upper end of the post 35 are pivotally connected by a rivet 39 a figure shaped member 49 and a `plate member 4|. The plate member 4| is of the shape clearly shown in Figs..1 and 7 and includes a body portion 4Z and a depending arm 43 which terminates in a lateral extension 44. A rivet 45, or the like, extends through the plate 4| at the juncture of the arm 43, and the extension 44 and through a projection 46 of the figure-shaped member 49 and cooperates with the rivet 39 to maintain the figure- Yshaped member 49 and the plate member 4| in fixed relation to each other. A strap member 41 .ispivotally mounted on the rivet at its upper end and at its lower end is pivotally connected by a rivet 48, or the like, to a manipulative handle member 49. The strap member 41 is parallel to the post 35, as is clear from Fig. 1. The lower end of the post 35 is pivotally connected by a rivet 59, or the like, to the free end of the handle member 49, the other end of said handle mem-i ber 49 terminating in a handle grasp portion 5|. Manifestly, as is clear from Figs. 1 through 3, velevation of the hand grasp portion 5| of the handle member 49 about the pivot rivet 56 effects forward tilting of the plate member 4I about the rivet 39 as a pivot point, and downward movement of the hand grasp portion 5! about the pivot rivet 59 effects rearward tilting of the plate member 4| about the pivot rivet 39.

The figure-Shaped member 49 may take any configuration, such as that of an Indian, an archer, or the like, and is cut away at 53'for a purpose described below and includes an arm 55 extending forwardly from and above the body "5 portion 42 of the plate member 4|. A detached leg portion 54 is secured to the post 35 for movement therewith. A resilient member 56 in the shape of a bow is secured by a clamp 51 of any suitable form to the free end of the arm 55. A bowstring 58, preferably of fine piano wire, is secured to the free ends of the resilient member 53 as by returned end portions 59. An arrow 69 is provided for projection by the resilient member 56 (Figs. 18 and 19) and includes a shaft 6| having feathers 62 adjacent one end. A notch 63 is formed in that end of the shaft 6| adjacent the feathers 62.

A projectile holder 65 is mounted on the body portion 42 of the plate member 4| as hy welding 66 (Fig. 7) and includes a body member 91 (Figs. 1 and 6 through 17). The body member 91 is of forked configuration and includes a bight portion 98 and vertically spaced legs 69-19 (Figs. 15 and 16). Through the bight portion 58 is a vertical opening 1| and formed in the front face thereof is a channel 12. Extending vertically through the legs 69 and 19 is a pair of spaced alligned openings 13 and 14.

A lock leaf 11 (Fig. 17), including a body portion 18 and spaced flanges 19, is pivotally mounted on the body 61 by means of a vertical nonrotatable pin 89 (Fig. 13) disposed through the openings 14 in the body portion 18 and aligned holes 8| in the flanges 19 and peened over at its ends to secure it in place. The anges 19 are disposed between the legs 69 and 19 when the lock leaf 11 is in closed or locking position. Each liange 19 includes a side edge portion 82 which slopes away from the body portion 18 and an end edge 83 which is at right angles to the body portion 18 and which intersects the sloping edge portion 82. A coil spring 84 surrounds the pin 89 and has one end 85 anchored thereto (Fig. 13). The other end 89 of the spring 84 extends along the outer surface of the body portion 18 biasing the lock leaf'11 into its closed position, clearly shown in Figs. l0 and 11.

A projectile retainer plate 90 is also pivotally mounted on the bodymember 61 (Figs. 8 and 10 through 14) and includes a flat body portion 9| centrally of which is a channel 92. At one end of the body portion 9| are vertically spaced horizontal ears 93 having aligned apertures. A verticalnon-rotatable pin 94 extends through the openings in the ears 93 and through the aligned openings 13 in the body member 61 to pivotally mount the projectile-holding member 99 on the body member 61, as it clear from the drawings. The pin 94 is peened over at the ends to prevent withdrawal. A coil spring 95 surrounds the pin 94 vand has one end 96 extending therethrough, the other end 91 thereof being disposed against the outer surface of the body portion 9| to bias the plate 99 towards the body member 61. The body portion 9| is cut away at 98 (Fig. 8) to permit the end 91 of the spring 95 to pass freely into its engaging position.

A wide member 99 of the configuration clearly shown in Fig. '7 is pivotally mounted in the vertical opening 1| of the body member 61 and includes a horizontal free end portion |6| and a vertical free end portion |92. As is clear from Figs. 9 through 12, the vertical portion |92 is normally disposed in the channel 12 but may be pivoted clockwise to pivot the lock leaf 11 counterclockwise about its mounting pin 89. To the end portion |9| is connectedthe upper end of a generallyvertically disposed rod |93, the lower end of said rod |93 extending through an aperture |94 in a bracket |95 (Figs. 1 and 5) secured to the handle member 49 by suitable screws |96, or the like. The lower end of the rod |93 terminates in a right angularly directed portion |98, the free tip of which is flattened and includes an aperture |99. Extending downwardly through the aperture |09 is the angularly disposed end I9 of an elongated trigger rod i, the angularly disposed end I0 being maintained against removal by a pin H2 (Figs. 4 and 5). The trigger rod includes an offset portion ||3 which terminates in the aforesaid portion H9, a main body portion ||4 which parallels the handle member 49, and a finger portion ||5 (Fig. 1) disposed downwardly from and at right angles to the main body .portionfilm A bracket" lla' secured to the handle member 49 by welding, or the like, supports the trigger rod for reciprocating movement andY serves as' a 4stop to limit movement to the right, considering Fig. 1.v

A tension spring anchored by one end ||8 to the handle member 49 and by the other 'end H9 to the trigger ro d' j| biases the trigger rod into the position show xrin Fig. 1. It is to be noted that the apertures" H3A andy |09;ar e large enough to permit the range of angular movement between the rod |03 and 'trigger rod as isillustrated in Figs. 2 and 13. The samejthing Vis true in respect to the connection of the upper end f the rod |03 with the portion 0I of the member 4| is used to mount the projectile holderY 65. It is to be understood that where a sheet metal silhouette gure is employed, the projectile holder 65 may be secured directly thereto. Stop members to limit transverse and vertical movement of the handle member 99 maybe provided if desired.

In Fig. 20, the mechanical amusement device is shown mounted on the box 28 which may be freely movable in respect to the surface |25, or it may be secured thereto. A target screen |26 is provided on which may be placed any suitable targets of paper, or the like, into which the arrow 60 may penetrate or which` th'e arrow maymark for scoring purposes.

In Fig. 2l, the device 25 is shown mounted on the platform 29; At the' right end of the platform 29 is a log. |30 'behindwvhichland movable in respect thereto' is a rabbit-shaped member |3|. Movement of the rabbit-shaped member |3| is effected through the reciprocation of the trigger rod A rod|32 is securedat one end to the trigger rod and at theV otherend to onejleg.

|33 of a bell cranklever |34,the other end |35 thereof being connected 'by'a' pin |36 and slot |31 to a post |38 which extends through the platform 29 and supports the member |3|. A"'V bracket |39 pivotally supports by a pin |40 the bell crank lever |34, the V bracket being secured to the underside of the platform 29. Itis to be understood that nonmovable objects, such as additional game figures, may be disposed on the platform 29 for target purposes.

The device 25 is illustrated as incorporating a bow and arrow. However, it is to be understood that the inventive concept includes the use of other projectiles such as the bullet from a gun, or the like, in which case the gure member 40 would be formed to simulate a cowboy, policeman, or the like. When using bullets, darts, spears, and the like, in place of an arrow, the bow shown is replaced by a suitable ejector spring which may be readily located in the body member 61 of the projectile holder 65. It is to be further understood that the projectile holder 65 may be surrounded by a figure, in which case the rod |03 may be formed in two pieces'including an upper link portion disposed within such figure to permit bending action.

Operation It is apparent from the foregoing description taken with the accompanying drawings that the amusement device 25, as illustrated, may be aimed` for firing an arrow 60 by manipulating the handle 6r member 49 in vertical and horizontal planes (Figs. l through 4). ylt is further apparent that'y an arrow 60 may be released through rearward movement of the trigger rod at any aimed position.

When the projectile'holder 65 is empty, the projectile holder plate 90 will be in the positionas shown in Fig. 12. To load the holder 65 with. an arrow 60, the bowstring -58 of the bow member 56 is engaged by the notch 63 of an arrow 60 and the arrow'60 is slipped into the holder 65 along the channel 92. The arrow 60 is moved to the left, considering Figs. 10 and ll, until the bowstring 58 engages the sloping edge portions 82 to pivot the lock leaf counterclockwise to clear the same and to move into position to the left of the end edges 83, the lock leaf returning to the position shown in Fig. 1l under the influence of the spring 84 as soon as the sloping edge portions 82 are free of engagement by the bowstring 53. Figs. 2 and 3 show an arrow 60 engaged by the holder 65, the lock leaf serving to fully support the arrow 60. The forward end of the arrow 60 is disposed below the .arm 55 of the figure member 40 and below the yclamp 5'! in order to avoid possible undesirable deections of the arrow 60 by these elements.

Manifestly, when the device 25 is loaded with an arrow 60, as shown in Figs. 2 and'3, the bow member 56 is under tension. To release the arrow 60, it is but necessary to apply finger pressure to the finger portion ||5 of the trigger rod III to move the trigger rod rearwardly and to therethrough effect pivotal movement of the member |00 to pivot the lock leaf 11 counterclockwise (Fig. 12) to move the edges 83 thereof out of the path of the .bowstring 58 to release the latter. bow member 56 immediately becomes effective to draw the bowstring 58 to the position of Fig. l and to forcibly eject the arrow 60 from the holder 65. l

As indicated above, the device 25 may take y manifold forms and may be adapted to a numbereof uses without departing from the inventive concepts. The device 25 finds particular adaptation as a game of skill, as is indicated by Figs. 20 and 21, among other uses.

It is apparent that there has been provided an amusement device which fullls all the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the several parts, substitution of equivalent l elements, and rearrangement of parts, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the type described, a support; means pivotally mounting said support for vertical and horizontal movement; and a projectile holder secured to said support, said holder including a :body member containing opposed faces and an elongated notch extending inwardly from one end thereof, an elongated ejecting-means retaining member pivotally mounted adjacent one end of the body member, said retaining member including projection means extending into the notch in the body member and a flange-like portion for contact with one face of the body member, spring means urging said iiange-like The stored up tension of the' portion against said one face, a plate-like projectile-retaining member pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of the body member, said projectile-retaining member containing a longitudinally extending groove in the inner face thereof adjacent the notch to receive a projectile, and also containing flange-like portions for contact with the other face of the body member, and spring means urging said flange-like portions against said other face of the body member.

2. Ina device of the type described, a bow containing a bowstring; means supporting said -bow for vertical and horizontal movement; and means for releasably maintaining an arrow and the bowstring in tensioned position, said last named means including a body member containing opposed faces and an elongated notch extending inwardly from one end thereof, an elongated bowstring retaining member' pivotally mounted adjacent one end of the body member, said retaining member including projection means extending into the notch for engagement with the bowstring and a, flange-like portion for contact with one face of the body member, spring means urging said flange-like portion against the face of the body member, a plate-like arrow retaining member pivotally mounted adjacent theother end of the body member, said retaining member containing a longitudinally extending groove in the inner face thereof to receive the feathered end of an arrow, and also containing flange-like portions for releasably holding the feathered end of an arrow against the other face of the body member, and spring means urging said flange-like portions against said other face of the body member.

3. A target device, comprising a figure-shaped member; a bow and a bowstring supported by said figure-shaped member; means supporting said member for vertical and horizontal movement; means fastened to said member for releasably maintaining an arrow and bowstring in tensioned position, said last named means ncluding a body member containing opposed faces and an elongated notch extending inwardly from one end thereof, an elongated bowstring retaining member pivotally mounted adjacent one end of the body member, said retaining member including projection means .extending into the notch for engagement with the bowstring and a flange-like portion for contact with one face of the body member, spring means urging said flange-like portion against the face ofthe body member, a plate-like arrow retaining member pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of the body member, said retaining member containing a longitudinally extending groove in the inner face thereof to receive the feathered end of an arrow, and also containing flange-like portions for releasably holding the feathered end of an arrow against the other face of the body member, and spring means urging said flange-like portions against said other face of the body member; and trigger means for pivoting the bowstring retaining member away from the face of the body member to disengage the projection means on the retaining member from the bowstring.

HENRY A. KIESELHORST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number Name Date 152,262 Wall June 23, 1874 279,128 Butterweck June 12, 1883 553,830 Bolton Feb- 4, 1896 840,705 Moran Jan. 8, 1907 1,133,189 Shannon Mar. 23, 1915 1,229,129 Peacock June 5, 1917 `1,564,089 Maxwell Dec. 1, 1925 1,649,045 Tickel NOV. 15, 1927 1,719,460 Armbrecht July 2, 1929 1,731,397 Smith Oct. 15, 1929 1,804,450 Allen May 12, 1931 1,932,346 Leavstrom Oct. 24, 1933 2,055,097 Eccles et a1. Sept. 22, 1936 2,185,091 Orlando et al. Dec. 26, 1939 5 2,417,791 Tyszkiewicz Mar. 18, 1947 

